A nice show. Jerry on high and Phil on higher in the mix throughout. Bertha is just the big inning.
Lots of highlights.
A set dedicated to Berry Oakley by the band puts Phil out in front and he is.
sweet rain indeed

In a year of mostly really boring Dark Stars, this is a welcome exception. Really great show in general.

It is sometimes difficult to figure out which version of a show to listen to.
So always nice when the fellas at the Dead forum point the way to a certain recording.
Bertha has some sound issues but I actually liked the way the sound faded at time and you could hear Phil's bass isolated and just hot!
Me and My Uncle sound now locked in.
This might have got overplayed over the years but as far as story songs go it is a potent tragedy song.
Sugaree- and you can really hear everyone's contributions, the Dead had their sound down in November 1972.
I am cutting trees on my side yard and have to focus on what I am doing besides can't hear the music over the racket I make so I get up extra early to take in some Grateful Dead before getting busy.
And I have hit pay dirt here. I forward shows to STREAM for friends and this is one I am going to forward for sure.
B.I.O.D.T.L- another tune where it is fun to listen to Jerry's backing vocals.
Bird Song-I like Garcia's guitar here. This is a very psychedelic BIRD SONG
4 stars for this alone
B.T.W- Bobby tried to revamp this but I like it fine as written
Don't EASE= "The Texas Blues"
The nice thing here is this would be a full set in the 1990's but in 1972 we are just getting started.
Mexicali="Everybody Polka"
Box of Rain-Probably up there with my all time favorite tunes. Not always smooth live but a song with incredible depth. I love the way Donna comes along side Phil. It is good to hear the backing vocals. Phil belts the end of this BOX OF RAIN out. 4 stars for this alone
This tuning is what they played on that wild jazz show with the two horn players.
T.I.F- not played often but I will take any and all tunes featuring Donna and here she sings with Garcia, SWEET!
DONNA SHOULD BE IN COUNTRY MUSIC HALL OF FAME!
great song for the great State of TEXAS.
Big River=Rhythm section gets so busy on this tune.
China Cat- I should confess I never understood anything in regards to this song. Yet, it certainly is fun to dance to and the band can really hit it's stride. Reckless abandon!
Love the harmonies on RIDER- one voice!
"I wish I was a headlight on a Northbound Train"
Perhaps the best thing is you already have a great first set here and then the DEAD just go to town with 21.16 worth of PLAYING IN THE BAND.
I know when my wife growls like Donna does in P.I.T.B all is right with the world.
"If a man among you has no sin upon his hands
let him cast a stone at me for playing in the band"
Playin jam- kicks in at around 2:50 mark
Can really here Phil and then Garcia is in meltdown mode. If you dropped at the start of the show it would be puddle time about now!
Main Ten returns around 19 minutes.
Another 4 stars for this alone
And then Casey Jones to close it out.
Why they stopped doing Casey Jones live I just don't know? (It works anywhere in a show.)
Heck you could F.O.T.D this tune and it could run 15 minutes
Also think it would have made a good encore in the later years.
15 song First Set.
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Already reviewed Set two on other IA copy of this show but I would like to add that the Stella Blue from SET 2 and Phil's bass playing on that Stella are PHENOMINAL!!!
And obviously
DARK STAR>WEATHER PART ONE:INSTRUMENTAL
>HALF STEP all the way to a field of clovers.

Houston '72 shows abound with excellent versions. 11/19 features quality versions of BTW, China Cat (specifically), Playin', Jack Straw, Stella and Big Railroad.
Dark Star and Goin' Down are jaw dropping considering...
8-12-72 through the rest of that year makes for great listening on a consistent basis, particularly September. This is where all that hard work in '71 culminates.